A series of derivatives of N-methylformamide (NMF), an experimental antitumor agent, has been prepared, having the general formula R% XX) NR1R2 where R'= H, CH3, CD3, CH2CF3, CH2CH2C1, cyclopropyl, CzH5, CH20H, CH20R, CH2N (CH3),; R2= H, CH3; R3= H, CF3, CCl,, CH3, Ph, NHCH,, N (CH&; and X= 0, S, NH. A further short series of" push-pull" olefins of the general formula R1R2C= CHNR3R4 has been synthesized where R1= H, ...